NO LOVE SONGS

In Fanning’s YA novel, a rock band goes viral, but real life may hold the members back.

Seventeen-year-old Myles Bennett just needs to survive a few more months—then he can move out of his Nan’s house and, more importantly, away from her abusive husband, Hank. The only thing that keeps Myles sane is his time with his band, The Wide Awakes, especially with their lead singer, Mal Kamel. While at a party, the drummer, Noah Connors, tells Mal and Myles that they will be able to drink for free if they play a song. Since there are no drums at the party, Noah films Mal and Myles playing together. The video goes viral, reaching over 84,000 views in mere days. Now, Myles and Mal are getting asked to be on a podcast, sans Noah, and the local news is more interested in the two of them than their drummer. Feeling left out, Noah starts to cause problems with his band mates, and Myles begins to feel like things are falling apart. The stress of his rough home life, his growing feelings for Mal, and the pressure he feels to perform better due to the comments on the viral video leave Myles unsure he’ll make it until his 18th birthday without imploding. When an opportunity to play at the high-profile Warped Tour comes up, will the band see it through, or will this be the end of The Wide Awakes? The book’s engaging narrative evokes a strong emotional response. The evocative prose (interspersed with the occasional text message exchange) can feel like lyrics to a song, fitting perfectly with the music theme: “She’s the only person I’ve ever known who can wear a sunset.” Scenes of Myles’ abuse and his physical pain may trigger some readers, and the novel is not for the faint of heart. While written for young adults, this book will likely be enjoyed by teens and adults alike.

A well-written and compelling YA novel that addresses abuse, found family, and hope for the future.